Hearings Officer

A Hearings Officer is a lawyer well-versed in Oregon land use laws. They conduct public hearings for specific development projects and make recommendations to City Council on some Comprehensive Plan or Zoning Map amendments.

Unlike other public bodies, Hearings Officer public hearings are not held on a regular schedule as these hearings occur only when specific projects require this type of review.

Hearings Officers often handle larger and more complex projects, referred to as Type III Applications.

Here’s what to expect at a public hearing with a Hearings Officer:

1. The Hearings Officer shares any pre-hearing contacts, biases, or personal interests.
2. Opportunity to challenge for bias or personal interest.
3. Explanation of state law procedures.
4. Staff presentation.
5. Applicant presentation.
6. Testimony from supporters.
7. Testimony from neutral parties.
8. Testimony from opponents.
9. Applicant rebuttal.
10. Opponents’ rebuttal (if allowed by the Hearings Officer).
11. Staff comments (if allowed by the Hearings Officer).
12. Close the public hearing.

The Hearings Officer has up to 21 days to make a written decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request. The hearing can be continued to a future date or adjourned early at the Hearings Officer’s discretion.